Hockney's New York trip
In the summer of 1961, Hockney traveled to New York for the first time. His friend Mark Berger showed him around all the city's galleries and museums, while his other friend Ferrill Amacker showed him the hot gay spots. To pay for the trip, Hockney sold several of his paintings. He was also able to work on other paintings and sketches. He was struck by the freedom of American society - it was at this stage that he bleached his hair and began to present a new image, fuelled not only by the United States but also by his discovery of the poetry of Whitman and Cavafy.
It was from his New York sketchbooks that Hockney came up with the idea for an updated version of William Hogarth's "Rake's Progress" which reflected his American experiences.
William Hogarth's suite of the same title is a moral tale of a squandered life told in eight copper-plate engravings published in 1735. Hockney's intention had been to make eight etchings for his own series following Hogarth's original titles, but it was finally extended to 16 which he was to work on over the next two years. Now transposed to New York, Hockney's semi-autobiographical 'rake' is seen discovering the good life found in a more liberated society.
At first all goes well for the young man: he sells prints, is accepted by the 'good people', bleaches his hair for the first time, frequents bars and marries.
THE ARRIVAL
RECEIVING THE INHERITANCE.bmp)
MEETING THE GOOD PEOPLE (WASHINGTON)
+MADISON+SQUARE.bmp)
THE GOSPEL SINGING (GOOD PEOPLE) MADISON SQUARE
THE START OF THE SPENDING SPREE AND THE DOOR OPENING FOR A BLONDE
THE SEVEN STONE WEAKLING
THE DRINKING SCENE
MARRIES AN OLD MAID.bmp)
THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN (WITH DARK MESSAGE)
VIEWING A PRISON SCENE
DEATH IN HARLEM
Misfortune is to befall him as he runs out of money and is shunned by the 'good people' His ultimate fate depicted in the final two plates is not descent into madness as in Hogarth's tale, but into joining the mindless masses, the 'other people'.
THE WALLET BEGINS TO EMPTY
DISINTERGRATION
CAST ASIDE
MEETING OTHER PEOPLE
BEDLAM
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In "Bedlam" the only way of distinguishing the 'rake' from the other robotic figures is by a small arrow above his head, he has finally been subsumed into the uniform crowd where personal identity has disappeared.
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In "Bedlam" the only way of distinguishing the 'rake' from the other robotic figures is by a small arrow above his head, he has finally been subsumed into the uniform crowd where personal identity has disappeared.
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Hockney was offered five thousand pounds for the above plates and thus was able to live in America for a year at the end of 1963. In the mean time, he finished his studies at the Royal College and received considerable attention from critics, professors, and peers at several student shows. At this time early on in Hockney's career, his artwork was poetic and tended to tell stories. He even wrote poetic ramblings on many of his paintings as well. For a short time, Hockney was in danger of not receiving his diploma because he had failed his Art History courses. Nonetheless, he was awarded the gold medal for outstanding distinction at the convocation and ended his college career on a tremendously good note.
Hockney was offered five thousand pounds for the above plates and thus was able to live in America for a year at the end of 1963. In the mean time, he finished his studies at the Royal College and received considerable attention from critics, professors, and peers at several student shows. At this time early on in Hockney's career, his artwork was poetic and tended to tell stories. He even wrote poetic ramblings on many of his paintings as well. For a short time, Hockney was in danger of not receiving his diploma because he had failed his Art History courses. Nonetheless, he was awarded the gold medal for outstanding distinction at the convocation and ended his college career on a tremendously good note.
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